Autologous wound sealing apparatus

Abstract

The apparatus is provided for sealing a vascular puncture tract by forming the autologous plug within the puncture tract, and extruding that plug into the puncture tract. The apparatus of the present invention forms an autologous blood plug by drawing blood into the apparatus from a vessel, mixing a blood congealing agent with the drawn blood, and ejecting a plug formed from the clotted blood within the puncture tract. Also provided are various closure elements to isolate the drawn blood from the vessel during mixture with the blood congealing agent, and to facilitate placement of the apparatus relative to the vessel.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of forming a plug for sealing a puncture tract disposed within tissue proximal to a vessel, the method comprising:
 inserting at least a portion of an apparatus into the puncture tract proximal to the vessel; 
 receiving blood into the apparatus; 
 actuating a portion of the apparatus to isolate a volume of blood in the apparatus from the vessel; 
 forming an autologous plug in the apparatus from the volume of blood isolated in the apparatus; and 
 actuating a portion of the apparatus to eject the plug into the puncture tract. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a housing having a first lumen and a second lumen to facilitate placement of a distal end of the device. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises an inner tube forming a lumen and an outer tube substantially extending along an axial length of the inner tube, wherein relative rotation between the inner tube and the outer tube moves a selectively closable iris between a first position, wherein a distal opening of the lumen is exposed, and a second position, wherein the distal opening of the lumen is substantially sealed by the selectively closable iris. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the inner tube is axially fixed relative to the outer tube. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the autologous plug formed in the lumen has a length and a form factor that causes the autologous plug to engage tissue surrounding the puncture tract after ejection by the plunger into the puncture tract. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the apparatus that is activated to isolate a volume of blood is a selectively closable iris a plate having a plurality of tracks and an opening disposed therethrough, and a plurality of blades operably engaged to the plurality of tracks. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein forming the autologous plug is accomplished using a blood congealing agent pre-disposed within the apparatus. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the blood congealing agent is coated onto an interior surface of the lumen. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the blood congealing agent is introduced into the apparatus subsequent to actuation of a selectively closable iris. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the blood congealing agent comprises a platinum wire. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the blood congealing agent comprises a thermo-resistive wire. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the blood congealing agent is chosen from the group consisting of thrombin, fibrin, human factor VIII, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the blood congealing agent comprises a matrix. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the matrix is chosen from the group consisting of gauze, biocompatible foam, and spun fiber. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the matrix is biodegradable. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the matrix has a cross-sectional geometry at least partially defining a plurality of longitudinal channels and at least one inner lumen disposed therethrough. 
     
     
       17. A method of forming a plug for sealing a puncture tract disposed within tissue proximal to a vessel, the method comprising:
 inserting at least a portion of an apparatus into the puncture tract proximal to the vessel; 
 receiving blood into the apparatus; 
 closing a portion of the apparatus to substantially isolate from the vessel a volume of blood in the apparatus; 
 adding a blood congealing agent to the volume of blood in the apparatus to form an autologous plug in the apparatus; and 
 actuating a portion of the apparatus to eject the plug into the puncture tract. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the apparatus includes an annular lumen in fluid communication with a central lumen of the apparatus via a plurality of apertures disposed through and along an axial length of an inner tube of the apparatus. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the apparatus includes a closure element that comprises first and second plates, each of the first and second plates having a plurality of through-wall slots, the first and second plates being relatively rotatable to selectively align the pluralities of through-wall slots.